Mitcham Council hears new bid to move Australia Day date amid money worries

An Adelaide council has launched a new bid to move its Australia Day celebrations after a member argued it has become too expensive. Have your say.

Mitcham Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross, left, during previous council Australia Day celebrations.

An Adelaide councillor has launched a new bid to move its Australia Day celebrations, this time to save money.

Mitcham Councillor Joanna Wells moved to initiate debate on the issue on Tuesday night, but neither she nor the Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross would discuss the idea with The Advertiser.

A Mitcham Council spokeswoman said an item had been tabled asking that “a report be prepared and presented to Council outlining the implications and potential benefits of conducting Council’s Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony for 2024 outside of the public holiday on Friday”.

Cr Wells provided background with her intended motion in which she explained a Federal Government rule from 2022 allowing councils to hold their celebrations anytime from three days before January 26, to three days after.

The option allows councils to avoid the extra expense of paying staff penalty rates, which is a large component of the annual $31,000 cost.

In 2024, Australia Day falls on a Friday which creates the opportunity to hold the event on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Cr Wells’ briefing for the Tuesday night meeting also stated: “Apart from a cost savings, this may also have additional community benefits of: 1. Allowing the community to enjoy an entire long weekend 2. Sending a message of reconciliation support for First Nations People’s by avoiding 26 January, a day known to cause distress to First Nations Peoples”.